Top News:
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
White Sox Request Release Waivers On Brett Lawrie — In a surprising move, the White Sox announced on Friday that they've requested release waivers on infielder Brett Lawrie. Assuming Lawrie clears waivers — a fair bet, given his $3.5MM salary for the 2017 season — he'll become a free agent upon clearing in 48 hours.
Discussion:
South Side Sox, Brew Crew Ball, Gaslamp Ball, Royals Review, MLB Daily Dish and Yahoo Sports
RELATED:
Colleen Kane / Chicago Tribune:
White Sox to release infielder Brett Lawrie, opting for long-term options — White Sox general manager Rick Hahn discusses the decision to release infielder Brett Lawrie on March 3, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune) — Chicago Tribune
Discussion:
OutsidePitchMLB
Josh Katzenstein / New Orleans Times-Picayune:
Patriots among teams interested in Brandin Cooks; Saints want mid-first round pick: sources — Brandin Cooks 65-yard touchdown reception — New Orleans Saints receiver Brandin Cooks scores on a 65-yard pass by Drew Brees during the second quarter against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday …
Discussion:
FanRag Sports, ProFootballTalk, Pro Football Rumors and NESN.com
Connor Byrne / MLB Trade Rumors:
Lorenzo Cain Wants Long-Term Deal From Royals — Lorenzo Cain is among several key Royals who are unsigned beyond this year, but the center fielder would rather continue in Kansas City than head elsewhere in 2018, he told Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com. — “You can't help but think about that …
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish
Maury Brown / Forbes:
As Part Of MLB Pace Of Play, Manfred Willing To Look At Shorter TV Commercial Breaks — In a continuing effort to have more action and less dead time in Major League Baseball, those at the highest levels of the sport are willing to examine how television factors in.
Discussion:
Purple Row, MLB Trade Rumors and FanRag Sports
RELATED:
Jeff Howe / Boston Herald:
Source: Patriots exploring adding backup QB in case they trade Jimmy Garoppolo — INDIANAPOLIS — For a team that allegedly isn't going to trade quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, the Patriots surely aren't acting like it. — The Patriots are exploring their options among backup quarterbacks …
Discussion:
Pro Football Rumors, ProFootballTalk and NESN.com
RELATED:
Mary Kay Cabot / Plain Dealer:
Patriots will still trade Jimmy Garoppolo if the offer is right, source says
Patriots will still trade Jimmy Garoppolo if the offer is right, source says
Discussion:
NESN.com, Bears Wire, ProFootballTalk, Pro Football Rumors, Windy City Gridiron, Niners Wire and FanRag Sports
Matt Breen / Philly.com:
Jeff Singer was working at a car dealership, then the Phillies called — CLEARWATER, Fla. - Jeff Singer's baseball dream never felt farther away than it did on the mornings when he was the first employee to arrive at the car dealership. — Singer, now an intriguing Phillies pitching prospect …
Discussion:
Phillies Nation
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Mets' Noah Syndergaard, who's loving his change-up, disses World Baseball Classic — PORT ST. LUCIE — Noah Syndergaard has time to stir up a little intrigue at spring training, but no time for silly baseball tournaments. The Mets right-hander said Friday that he has no regrets about turning …
Discussion:
Bucs Dugout
Jon Heyman / FanRag Sports:
Heyman: Gap exists, but Odor awaiting latest Rangers counteroffer — SURPRISE, Ariz. — The Rangers and Rougned Odor are continuing to exchange figures in contract negotiations, and while there was still said to be a decent-sized gap coming into the weekend, the team was expected to revise …
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish
Jeff Passan / Yahoo Sports:
Statcast wants to change how we're consuming baseball games — Sometime soon, there is going to be a new version of Wins Above Replacement available, and its goal, aside from encapsulating a player's value into one tidy number, is simple: Don't be scary. The plan does not involve dumbing …
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com and Redleg Nation
Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:
Small adjustment Aaron Judge made that Yankees manager Joe Girardi says has ‘paid off’ — DUNEDIN — In his first at-bat on Friday, Aaron Judge got down 1-2 in the count against Francisco Liriano. — But this time, the Yankees' strikeout-prone right fielder didn't strike out.
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley
Los Angeles Times:
Jeanie Buss thwarts attempt by brothers to take over the Lakers — Lakers President Jeanie Buss. — Jeanie Buss has thwarted an effort by her brothers, Jim and Johnny, to oust her as the Lakers president and controlling owner as the behind the scenes battle for control of the franchise moved into the courtroom.
Discussion:
Hoops Rumors, The Big Lead, FanSided, Deadspin, USA Today, NESN.com and FanRag Sports
Patrick Saunders / Denver Post:
David Dahl's back issues more serious than Rockies originally thought — The 22-year-old hit .315 with seven home runs in 63 games last season. — SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The back issues keeping David Dahl off the field and in the training room during spring training are more serious than the Rockies first thought.
Discussion:
Purple Row and FanRag Sports